Man machine interfaces for entering data into a computer

ABSTRACT

An optical method and apparatus for computer input, most typically man-machine interfaces, particularly of the class known as &#34;touch screens&#34; and &#34;digitizers,&#34; are based on surface distortion imaging, i.e., magnified optical imaging of a surface temporarily distorted by the input data of interest such as a finger, pencil point, key impact, projectile, etc. Typically, the surface (or material) distorted or disturbed, is extensive, that is large relative to the size of the distortion(s). This imaging allows 3 dimensional displacement X, Y, Z and vector inputs, low cost, high speed, tactile feedback, and an ability to be used on any size or type of surface or screen, from small tablet sized data entry devices to wall murals and beyond, with essentially the same hardware configurations.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/946,588 filed Sep. 18, 1992, now abandoned.

US PAT REFERENCES

1. D Sight U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,319

2. Circuits U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,374

3. Turbine U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,804

INTRODUCTION

The invention disclosed herein is a new type of data entry device for computers and other electronic equipment generally in the category of digitizers and touch screens having several unique properties. It is based primarily on the electro-optical determination of temporary surface distortion caused by the physical input signal, or force, creating the distortion (e.g. a finger "touch"). This is herein referred to as surface distortion imaging and depends on the ability to detect, and in some cases quantify, small distortions of a surface over a large (by comparison) area.

A preferred means of detecting surface distortion is that given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,319, which discloses illumination of a surface and subsequent retroreflective re-illumination of the surface from which an enhanced image of the distortion in such surface are created. This method (and the products based thereon sold under the trade name "D Sight™"), is at once, simple, fast, and capable of intelligibly measuring minute distortions over large surface areas. All of these are advantages for the present disclosed invention, and D sight™ is the preferred method (but not the only method) for determining such distortions. Other optical techniques are grid and moire triangulation, also providing surface distortion data.

Distortion in a material (rather than a surface thereof), can alternatively be used, detected by schlieren, transmissive D-sight, and in photoelastic stress based techniques, relying on stress related differential refraction in the material, rather than deflection of the surface. In both cases video cameras scanning the image of the area of the material or surface are the preferred transduction device.

Also disclosed herein are novel means to determine other events which cooperatively or individually may a be imputed to a computer by means of the invention. These particularly concern electro-optically determinable datums on persons or other entry means.

A REVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART

The typical data entry device for a computer to date, has been a keyboard. More recently the "mouse" and "joy stick" have been devised to allow entry of data and particularly picture type data, onto a computer screen.

Tracing tablets (digitizers) have been derived using various technologies for indicating for example, the X, Y location of a pencil stylus, using ultrasonic, inductive or other means.

In addition to the above, such data entry can be combined with a display in a product commonly known as a "touch screen". In this product, data is presented on a TV screen and the human can touch certain boxes typically which have been encoded on the screen to register his input data choice.

In regard to touch screens, these are generally categorized as being either of the non-contact beam-break type usually using multiple light sources or, a type employing multi layer overlays using optical, acoustic, or capacitive phenomenon to determine a location of the touching member.

A brief review of the prior art relative to touch screen technology is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,569 by Bowman. Bowman discloses a touch screen technology using a bezel with piezo-electric elements at the four corners which, upon being stressed by a touch on a glass faceplate for example, creates force signals which can be used to decipher the X,Y location of the pressed point. Presumably this technology could also be used for determination of 3-D force variables as well.

Disadvantages of previous touch screens which are purported to be overcome in part at least by the Bowman invention, are accuracy, shock, wear, reliability and electro magnetic radiation.

Other prior art technology (Touch screen or digitizer) relates to capacitive devices in which one plate is pressed closer to another at a different point and related by a grid scan mechanism and to scanned contact types wherein a grid scan mechanism and to scanned contact types wherein a grid of conductors (either fiber optic or electrical), are caused to be contacted at one point which again can be scanned out.

Other touch screen technology (U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,176) uses surface waves induced in a material which are damped at a given location in space due to the touching arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,781 describe conductive film based touch screens. U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,758 addresses the problem of calibration of all touch screens, particularly a problem for those based on analog principles. Problems of electro magnetic shielding of touch screens which can be a problem in secure environments are addressed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,692,809 and 4,591,710.

Where one admits to a conductive stylus or other special writing instrument, then higher resolution transmissive digitizing screens can be contemplated such as that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,720. Other "digitizers" not incorporating a screen display are represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,692,936 describing an acoustic digitizer pad, 4,177,354 describing a digitizer with a light responsive grid, and 4,255,617 describing a digitizer with a capacitive grid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,191 describes a digitizer pad which is a type of digitizer capable of providing a X,Y and Z axis indication proportional to the area of touch, a third dimension of sorts.

No known prior art exists in the area of data entry devices based, like the instant invention, on optical surface distortion measurement.

Some Conclusions from the Prior Art (Vis-a-vis the Disclosed Invention)

In general, it can be said that all of these prior art devices typically are one or two dimensional, that is, they either register a single command as in a typewriter key or the X,Y location of a command as for example a light pen location on a screen or a stylus point, etc. It is therefore very desirable to have a three dimensional capability, capable of registering not only the X and Y but also the Z value of a force or displacement caused by a particular entry command.

Very few commercial devices can do this and a limited technology set exists for this purpose.

In addition, conventional technologies typically limit the resolution or the size or both of the display to which entry could be made. For example, touch screen data entry is commonly available over a standard let us say 12" to 19" computer terminal to the level of 1 part in 40 in both X and Y. While this suffices for many computer data entry purposes (e.g. selecting icons), it is certainly not suitable for high resolution drawing on a screen or other such activities. Prior Art is lacking which can accommodate high resolution "touch " or other inputs easily over large surfaces such as for example data displays in military war rooms and the like. In addition, high resolution seems possible in prior art digitizers only by moving special apparatus or using special writing instruments such as a conductive pen, and high resolution touch screens are difficult with digital technologies such as the discrete grids. Such grids also run the risk of degrading the light transmission characteristics of the screen.

Another drawback of most conventional data entry systems today is that they can only respond to one point at a time. In other words, a single finger on the screen, a single mouse location, a single joy stick entry, a single key on a keyboard. In many applications it would be desirable to be able to enter more than one point at a time or rock back and forth between two points or the like. Indeed it may be desirable to enter not just points but a complete "signature" as in a hand print or the equivalent. This is very useful for recognizing inputs from disable persons, or as a means of verifying authenticity.

Accuracy is also a problem with most digitizers and touch screens, in particular those using analog principles (e.g. the Bowman reference above). Indeed for those digitizers and touch screens based for low cost or other reasons on analog transduction technologies, calibration is often required. One implication is that icon size on the screen must be large, if calibration can't be maintained.

There is virtually no evidence of 3-D capability in the finger touch devices. The closest art found is that of capacitive change in area due to contact with the touch panel.

One prior art device (U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,720) describes an important capability of drawing directly on the screen with commonly used or available instrument (e.g. a pencil). This is a key item in a man machine interface equation, getting away from the artifice of drawing pictures with a mouse let us say while looking at the screen (the technology disclosed herein also allows one to draw on the screen directly).

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention at one and the same time obviates the difficulties above in a manner that is also cost effective. In addition, it contains several unique advantages not known to exist elsewhere, viz;

1. A potential "four" and "five dimensional" capability, wherein the force vector direction as well as the magnitude of force is measured.

2. An ability to detect dynamic events over a very large area, also with temporary data storage.

3. An ability to have a data storage of a complete signature at once, physically or in memory. The invention as a unique image storage capability. No dynamic event detection is apparent in the prior art, and few prior art touch screens, even appear capable of transient or dynamic operation. The invention on the other hand can be used with strobed light sources which can be triggered to capture fast transient events. Even when successive readings are required, several thousand readings a second can be obtained of the complete surface. Transient events can be stored by the image capture medium and in some cases can be actually stored by the sensing surface if it has a hysterises "memory". This allows it to be used for dynamic "hits" such as those of projectiles on the screen, not just continuous touches.

4. An ability to have the surface distortion or touching input means of any material, completely removed from the actual sensing of the input. Specialized capacitive screens and the like are not required. However, an LCD display screen can for example, be used to form a portion of the surface.

5. In addition, the invention is extremely cost competitive to other touch screen or data entry techniques--particularly for larger surfaces. (For example, one meter square and larger.) The resolution obtainable in these larger surfaces is unmatched, being capable with today's technology, of reaching greater than one part in 10,000 in each direction of the surface (100 million resolvable points on the surface).

6. Unlike most other types of displays, several embodiments of the disclosed invention give a desirable tactile feedback since it is the actual physical deformation (and the amount thereof) that is responsive. Thus the feedback to a finger (or other member) in terms of resistive force is proportional to the desired input. This tactile feedback is particularly desirable in for example the automobile where one should not take one's eyes off the road.

7. Another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it can create a touch screen data entry of very high resolution with such entry made directly on the screen (not on a special pad, as in most CAD systems)with the "beam" of the CRT or other type of display literally following the touch point just as a pencil line would follow a pencil. In this application the 3-D capability allows one to press harder and make a darker (or wider) line for example, just as one would do in normal practice.

The capability of the invention to be ergonomically and "naturally" compatible with human data entry is a major feature of the invention.

8. The reliability of some of the touch screen prior art is questionable. Capacitative devices in close contact are subject to wear, humidity, electric fields and other variables for example. In addition, many prior art touch screens are of specialized construction and would be quite expensive to replace if they were broken, especially as the size increases. In the case of the invention, sensing of the screen is non contact, and the sensing screen can be as simple as a piece of plate glass,or a wall.

Many touch screen designs appear to have problems connected with electro magnetic radiation and can pose a problem in high security areas. This problem does not exist with the disclosed invention.

9. Multipoint Operation. Many of the existing touch screen prior art are capable only of measuring one touch point in X and Y at a time. While some other prior art designs would not appear to preclude multi-point simultaneous measurement, none apparently is disclosed. The invention is easily capable of multi-point operation or even detection of complex area "signatures" not just "points".

As an example of the multi-point difficulties with the prior art, the light curtain type noncontact touch screens clearly have an obscuration problem, as the finger indicating one point obscures the view of another.

10. Reflection and Transmission. The invention, unlike most of the prior art, can be used both in reflection and for transmission measurement of deformation. The camera system used in the device can be used for other purposes as well and indeed the touch screen or digitizing system disclosed can be used simultaneously with prior art systems for a combination effect if desired.

A further advantage of the inventions ability to detect multiple input signatures, etc. at any point on its face, therefore a keyboard, a piano keyboard, a joy stick can be artificially created at any point under computer control or simply by random human command. This is a particular desirability in a car where you cannot necessarily keep your eye on the data entry device or for example for handicapped people who could not be expected to hit the right point on the device every time, but if they just hit the device anywhere, could make a move from that point in a manner that would be intelligible to a computer for example.

11. Common Systems. In addition to the above advantages over the prior art, the invention also has an advantage that it employs essentially standard hardware for any screen size. The same technology is applicable for a screen or "pad" of say 3"×4" (8×10 cm) such as might be in a car dashboard all the way to screens or digitizers the size of a wall. This allows the cost to be reduced as the technology can be shared.

12. Variable and "Intelligent" orientation. It is also useful therefore to replace in many cases keyboards which have continuous arrays of keys, be they optical, mechanical, contact, electro mechanical or whatever. Unlike most keyboards the disclosed type can "float" (i.e. be at any zone on the surface) which is convenient for people who know how to type but cannot see the keys for example, while driving.

13. Tactile feedback, including programmable. The unique tactile feedback application aspect of the invention allows one to essentially use a deformable member as a sort of miniature joy stick for each finger or to rock back and forth between one or more fingers to create different signals. In addition, programmable tactile feedback such as air blasts, vibration, etc., can also be added easily to the touch surface.

Another advantage of the invention is that it can detect a force or displacement signature such as an object that would be picked up by a robot hand incorporating the invention or the signature of someone who can write but otherwise could enter a signature of his palm or what have you.

Some aspects of this invention may be of considerable use to the blind and other physically disabled persons, allowing use of non-conventional inputs (eg elbows toes, etc) and the tactile feedback afforded is particularly helpful here.

Further disclosed in this invention is a variation on the invention for use where inputs other than physical touching are used to temporarily deform the medium. This can be TV, thermal, air, vacuum, electromagnetic or any other physical force which can temporarily either distort the surface in any direction.

The ability of the invention to detect temporary distortions also leads it to be usable over broad areas for unique transduction applications such as weighing trucks on the highway "on the fly", counting lumps of coal on a specialized conveyor belt, counting/weighing and other such applications, or in any other application where transient deflections are the desired signal.

These and other advantages of the invention will become clear in the following disclosure which is depicted in the following figures.

Summary of Advantages

To conclude, the invention disclosed herein has numerous advantages, for example:

1. 3-D (X Y,Z) capability, plus an additional 2-D of vector input.

2. Simplicity and Low cost, particularly for large area applications.

3. Multi-point, and area signature capability, also with simultaneous detection

4. Non-contact sensing of screen deformation due to "touch"--wear free and reliable

5. Excellent dynamic detection of both transients and repeating inputs

6. High accuracy--all digital sensing, no analog calibration required

7. Achievable resolution 1/10,000 in both X & Y, via sub pixel digitisation

8. Screen/plate material independent. For example, can generate a surface response on program command, or use transparent media such as rear projection screens.

9. Commonality--all screen or pad sizes can use substantially the same hardware

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will further be described in the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a prior art touch screen or digitizer having conducting bars in an orthogonal grid.

FIG. 2a is a basic embodiment of the invention in touch screen form utilized with a projection TV (front or rear), and employing a D-Sight transduction of surface distortion.

FIG. 2b is an XY plot output by the device shown in FIG. 2a.

FIG. 2c is an XV plot output by the device shown in FIG. 2a, corresponding to the XY plot in FIG. 2b.

FIG. 2d shows the device in FIG. 2a used as a CAD terminal.

FIG. 3a shows an image formed using the FIG. 2a device.

FIG. 3b shows a distorted image used to determine the force applied to the device.

FIG. 3c is an image formed from placing a hand on the device.

FIG. 3d shows force F applied non-normally to the surface of the device shown in FIG. 2a.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5a illustrates a combined system employing a target tracking embodiment of the invention and touch screen embodiment similar to FIG. 2 for use with projectiles.

FIG. 5b is a close-up of the glove in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 5c is a close-up of the hat in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 illustrates a multipoint, or signature version of the invention, in a virtual environment situation. Also illustrated is the use of grid projection triangulation for surface distortion analysis, and a multi-segment version of the invention.

FIG. 7a illustrates a "digitizer" pad embodiment of the invention used as an automotive further incorporating tactile feedback cues,

FIG. 7b shows the force inputs from the fingers shown in FIG. 7a.

FIG. 8 illustrates a force field (electromagnetic, sound, or other) embodiment of the invention, using a moire grid transduction of surface distortion.

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrates transmission and photoelastic variants of the invention. Also illustrated is a photoelastic based sensing of force location due to stress.

FIG. 1

A typical prior art touch screen arrangement which, like the invention, operates in a physical touching mode, is shown in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, a transparent member 12 comprised of a periodic set of conductive bars is placed on the front of CRT tube 10. It is opposed by a second member 13, whose surface includes a set of conducting bars in the orthogonal direction. The two conducting surfaces are separated by a third transparent insulating medium 15, having on array of holes in it which can allow the force of touching to push the front surface through to the rear surface thereby making contact. By scanning the conductors electronically, at the point of contact, a signal is generated which then gives the XY location on the screen of the touch.

The resolution of the conventional touch screen technology represented by FIG. 1 is limited in that the horizontal/vertical lines must be wide enough spaced so that one can push through without touching adjacent ones. In addition, both the transduction medium and the separator material, is worn during operation of the device, which can also be affected by humidity, and strong electric fields.

In contrast, the disclosed invention uses a single screen element and does not require overlays on top of an existing screen. LCD flat displays and projection TV can be directly be used. Conversely however, it is generally difficult to use the invention with conventional CRT based TV tubes without substantial modification (especially in regard to the heavy faceplate).

FIGS. 2a-2d

Consider the operation of the device shown FIG. 2a, which illustrates the basic embodiment of the invention in its touch screen and data entry "digitizer" form.

A projection TV (such as one may buy in the stores today and typically with a 50" diagonal screen size), 100, is principally comprised of a screen 101 which is illuminated by a projection TV assembly 110, known in the art, comprised of 3 electron guns, red, green, blue, each with a corresponding lens which images the face of the tubes onto the screen 101 in registration, that is, so each of green, blue and red images of the scene commanded by control 120, are overlaid upon one another so as to be able to produce the colours desired with appropriate inputs to the guns.

A viewer 150, looks at the image diffused from the rear projection of the TV onto the screen. For purposes of the invention, the screen 101 has a substantially flat rear surface 102. This arrangement is commercially available.

The goal of the invention is to optically determine the location (and in some cases magnitude and direction as well) of one or more local distortions 103, of the screen, 101 manifested on rear surface 102 upon input of one or more deflecting forces F (as from a finger) which deflects the screen. The optical determination is accomplished preferably by TV camera 160 whose field of view generally covers a substantial portion of surface 102. Visible, IR, UV or any other wavelength of radiation which can be seen by the camera (which could be an IR TV camera for example) is used as the illumination source. The screen can be plain, or have writing or designs on it in certain areas where, for example, input of a certain type is desired.

The preferred method of determining screen deformation shown in this embodiment, is to use the D Sight™ principle described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,319. In this example light source 170 illuminates the rear smooth portion 102 of the screen 101 and light from that smooth portion is reflected to retroreflector material 171 (typically Scotchlight 7615 glass beaded material by 3M company) which then re-reflects it to the surface 102 and thence to TV camera 160.

The light source 170 can be located off the axis of the TV camera lens as shown, which creates a unique contour type "D-Sight image", providing a shading effect of any distortion present which indicates the direction, magnitude and shape of the distorted portion of the surface. Alternatively however the light source can be located essentially on the axis of the camera often (through use of a beam splitter or otherwise) and in which case the TV camera input detects a dark zone when the screen is pushed in by the action of the force (eg. a finger "touch"). Detection of these types of images in the context of this application is further described below.

To operate the invention, the camera is typically scanned out at normal TV frame rates 30 times or 60 times a second, and the determination of the XY location of the force input determined from the centroid of the deflected disturbed light energy. This detection is accomplished in either hardware or software. In the simplest "On-Axis" case shown in FIF. 2b (where the light source and camera are effectively co-axial), the centroid "C" in X and Y of dark energy, 200, shown in the representation 201 of the on-axis Dsight image of surface 102, is detected. The methods for accomplishing this detection and for providing, if desired, real time outputs, that is, every frame rate, are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,374 which utilize the detection of the first or second derivative, the moment, or the average light intensity centroid for example.

The XY coordinates are easily determined by finding the XY centroid location. This can typically be done to resolutions less than the actual pixel spacing on the camera array with 1/10 of a pixel being commonplace as described in the references. In this case we could see that for a 1000×1000 array, the sensitivity in XY direction can be 1 part in 10,000 of the screen field.--e.g. 0.1 mm (0.004") on a 1 meter square field.

To determine the Z value representing the deformation proportional to force, the degree of darkness (or lightness) of the spot, (or alternately it's diameter or area for a given degree of darkness such as V_(thres) or greater, say,) can be determined as shown in FIG. 2c. For example, for a constant Y indentation 205 indicates a larger Z distortion noted as Z₁, and thus force F, than indentation 200, noted as Z₂ for a constant elastic property of the screen 101, typically of plastic or glass. If force F is not constant, it can be calibrated and a calibration table stored in the computer 185 to correct each reading. Not only is the area or diameter of light of intensity darker than dark threshold V, but the maximum value of darkness V_(max) is higher as well. The harder one pushes, the darker and bigger it gets.

It is noted that the invention can also be used in an alternative front illumination mode as shown, monitoring screen deflection with light source 170a, camera 160a, and retroreflective screen 171a, and/or front projection of TV images on the screen with alternative projector 110a.

Also shown in this embodiment is another variation of the invention using a photoelastic technique, which has the advantage of being responsive to stresses induced in transparent media, and not to deflection per se, thus potentially allowing a stiffer member. In this example, the reflective stresses in a photoelastic material chosen to comprise the screen in this case to 101 are determined by placing a coating 138 on the front of the screen (instead of placing the coating that might be used to render the screen more reflective at a certain wavelength to the light 170, on the back of the screen, one can place it on the front of the screen) such that the light from 170 has to pass through the screen material twice. In this way, photoelastic changes in the material can be viewed if the light is polarized as with polarizer 144 and cross polarizer located in front of the camera 145 (also where required allowing for polarization rotation on reflection).

The screen 101 can be of any suitable material which can withstand the force F, and deflect proportionally thereto. Or it can be curved, as well as flat, and be made up of individual cells rather than one piece as shown. The system can operate with front or rear projection and front (or rear) screen distortion monitoring.

It is noted the viewer can wear LCD or other electrically shutterable glasses which allow alternate frames of stereoscopic TV projections to enter the eye, to recreate the stereo effect.

In this it is noted that a single television camera 160 with a 1000 by 1000 pixel elements can be used to look at the deflecting surface 102. If more resolution is desired, more dense pixel cameras can be used or conversely multiple sets of cameras can be utilized, each one looking at a given portion of the surface with the results combined. It should be noted that where accuracy rather than resolution is required it is necessary to calibrate the camera and optical system for the best results, using either known inputs or a grid pattern such as 168 placed on the surface which can be utilized to correlate surface points to points in the image plane of the lens at the camera.

Applications

Now let's explore some of the applications of the invention depicted in the above embodiment. Compared to the prior art, I feel the invention can produce much higher resolution on a large screen basis, at least in the rear projection format. In addition, this resolution is digital depending in its primary manner on the digital fixed position of the individual detectors (pixels) on the array chip. This means that it is intrinsically self calibrated and free from analog drift as common to other types of touch screens or digitizer technologies which claim high resolutions.

The invention is well suited for simulation such as in an arcade game or for training simulations. The video inputs can be anything, including interactive video from disk where different scenes are called up as a result of the input force, touch or hit. One can actually even project in 3-D on the screen for the observer 150 equipped with special LCD glasses (to view alternate stereoscopic images). One can have extremely real effects where the human observer can in turn throw an object at something, hit it, shoot at the screen or whatever the input is desired to interact with the video on the screen.

The second major application is the use of the invention as a CAD design terminal where one could easily picture the embodiment of FIG. 2a tilted on its side, as shown in FIG. 2d, to present the screen at essentially a 45 or 30 degree angle to the horizontal and so usable in a drawing board format, such as 230. It can even be horizontal itself as in a desk top for that matter. Indeed, the cost of having such a device as a desk top needn't cost much more than $5000--television, desk, inputs and all. This puts it easily within the realm of executive desk top devices where literally the desk becomes the viewing and input means.

In the case of a CAD entry, it can be with a touch or for more detailed entry, with any sort of stylus device as in a pencil such as 210. (with highest resolutions generally resulting from taut rubberized screens). In the 3-D context, the more one pushed on the drawing instrument, finger, pencil, pen or whatever, the darker a line could be if one was actually drawing on it using it in a drawing mode.

For use as a digitizer or as a touch screen, the invention has a very desirable tactile "feel" of it, i.e. it the more you push, the more resistance your feel and the more it registers. This tactile feel will vary depending on the type of material chosen. While it is generally contemplated that single membranes, at least over some portion of the total surface area would be utilized to keep the device simple and watertight, etc. this might not need to be the case.

For example, a surface composed of links effectively hinged could be utilized much as one might think of smaller surface elements chained together which could deflect as miniature plates about the hinge points could be utilized. They could be either chained together to form a larger overall membrane or they could be just simply hinged to simple supports much like a present keyboard. In this particular issue which is measured with D Sight™, it is not so much deflection of the "key" so produced that causes the reading but a slope change for example due to an increasing slope caused by one pushing in on one of the "keys".

Another advantage of the FIG. 2a device is that it is responsive both to the pressure of the finger in as well as any sort of force that would tend to pull the screen out. In this manner, it differs greatly from almost all other touch screen devices. While one cannot touch "out", in general, there are forces, the most obvious one being vacuum, that can tend to pull the screen material outward. These include electro magnetic, electrostatic, and thermally induced forces and the "two way" ability of the invention to register such an input is notable.

We should add that these concepts, while they've been shown in the context of a rear projection display device as in FIG. 2a, are really quite usable in the context of the invention with any sort of display device. For example, screen 101 could be a LCD device would not require guns (and respective lenses) 110 for projection. It might be essentially self generating. Typically such LCD devices do require a light source which could be located in the place of the guns to illuminate the LCD. Interestingly, the same light source 170 used for the readout of the screen deflection, could even be the one that illuminates the LCD's, particularly if one was viewing at an angle. It should be noted that to keep the light source 170 from being obtrusive to the observer, one may choose an infrared light source such as infrared LED's (and if desired, a corresponding bandpass filter in front of camera 160). This makes the camera 160 responsive only to the light from the light source 170 and conversely keeps the eye from being able to pick up any light that may escape through the front of the screen from the light source 170.

In the CAD data mode, the position coming from the centroid detection electronics 184 connected to the camera, is shown in the flow block diagram to the gun control drive electronics 120 to if desired, allow an electron beam in one or more colours to trace directly behind the contact point or in fact because of the speed of the device, within a 30th of a second, to overlay the contact point. This allows one to actually follow one's drawing right on the screen with the computer generated rendering thereof. Conversely, the human can trace on, or create, a TV image if desired.

It should be noted that if one knows the timing of the touch or event, one can actually strobe the light source to catch this event precisely so that no blur exists. Conversely, one can also simply read the TV camera display at a certain time as well since some TV camera frames can be read out as many as 2000 frames a second (Kodak Ektographic TV camera) the actual registering of dynamic inputs, etc. can be done.

It should be also noted that the camera unit does not require in general, the calibration of the device. However, for odd viewing angles, special high accuracy considerations, etc., one can use a pre-calibrated screen in which the Z direction inputs and/or XY locations are stored in memory in an accurately calibrated manner. This is shown in the block diagram flowchart of FIG. 4 as an optional look up table for stored values. Alternatively, fitting of curves to data and other means to more accurately predict position can be used.

FIGS. 3a-3d

FIGS. 3a-3d illustrate details of a system according to an invention for 3D CAD drawing. In the application shown the person draws a picture which is to be entered into the computer and in an embodiment actually modifies using his drawing project on the surface/screen by the projection TV set. As the operator places his pen (eg 210) on the screen and pushes. Cameras 170 image pick up location can be digitized by high speed circuit at the frame rate of the TV camera which can for best operation run as fast or faster than the primary projection.

If further information is desired such as the force and therefore the depth which the screen deflects can be determined(and if desired the direction) and this data fed as well to create either a shading rendition of the TV projection or some other suitable modification.

Illustrated in FIG. 3a is the type of optical D sight image seen when off-axis illumination is used, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this case the light and dark regions of the image of a local indentation reflect the curvature of the surface, with a zero crossing indicating the centroid location in the direction scanned. In the case where the force F is not normal to the surface, as shown in FIG. 3d, the surface is indented in a direction at a (non normal) vector 249 to the surface, 250.

One can, with both on and off axis illumination, measure the distortion (elongation) in shape in the D-sight image of the local surface distortion, as shown in FIG. 3b, to determine the force vector direction. For utmost accuracy, means may be employed to calibrate (and store in calibration tables, to be applied to the instant distortions determined) said distortion as a function of vector direction, if the movement is non-linear for a given screen material.

As shown in FIG. 3c even a hand print can be used to enter data, with each finger, thumb and palm registered by the camera, and classified by the computer system in proportion to their deflection and force. This can be useful for the handicapped, and for security systems. It also is use full as each finger can register independently and thus a keyboard or other touch guide printed or indicated on the screen can be activated by each finger even simultaneously.

It should be noted that the calibration system mentioned above is particularly applicable if one wishes to sense the force vector. The off-axis D-sight version in particular is capable of showing the actual shape of the distorted area from which one can infer a direction of force. This is particularly true if one assumes that the object is reasonably well known. For example, one might have a particular calibration set up for a pencil or pen point whereas another calibration might be used for fingers, indeed, one might even precalibrate a certain person's finger or handprint for maximum accuracy. Such a hand print is shown in FIG. 3c which shows the XY outline and Z force darkening where the hand signature appears and the 3-D shape that can be printed out therefrom. Its noted that such a "Print" can also be used to identify and or determine the location of objects placed on a pad according to the invention, as for robotic pickup.

As described above, a dark centroid indication can be detected relative to a uniform background indicating little surrounding distortion. If there is however some hysteresis, that is, that the surface does not immediately go back to its original location but stays slightly deflected, then one can actually sense the distortion not relative to a zero-base but relative to what it was the previous time simply by subtracting the two images (or answers) and then normalizing the two inputs. This means that this has a very desirous capability of making the system impervious to let us say wear on the screen manifesting itself as permanent or semi permanent distortion.

Another salient feature of distortion detection employing retrorellective systems, eg. D Sight™, is that the readout is relatively immune to the overall shape of the screen. This means that instead of being flat as the screen is shown here, it could even be curved in any shape whatsoever within reason.

Touch Screen Material

A front surface for touch screen embodiments of the invention which can maximize deformation under load, and therefore sensitivity thereto, is stretched rubber as used in other applications of projection TV's already. Stretched rubber has the ability to be extremely deformable on a local basis thereby improving the resolution of the system of distortion in general, since even if the camera distortion can pick up images to within a part in 10,000 in both X and Y, the elastic properties of the membrane or other structure that is used for the face plate so to speak, is perhaps the limiting resolution factor, since the stiffer this member is, the more it tends to de-localize the effect, that is broaden it out, over a larger area thereby making it more difficult to distinguish a precise point.

Obviously rubber is an extreme case of a membrane which could literally deform around a point of a pencil for example. Not always is this desirable either, as stiffness is sacrificed. Because of this, plastic, glass and even silicon are preferable for most touch screen applications of the invention, where rear projection is used. In front projection, any material can be used.

FIG. 4

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a touch screen embodiment of the invention. Steps involved in a particular case using a D-SIGHT based surface distortion measurement are shown on the right hand side of the figure. Other grid based or photoelastic systems would function similarly, in so far as their input to the computer 185. (and any specialized processing circuitry or software, 184).

FIGS. 5a-5c

It is an advantage of the invention that the screen material can be of any type as long as it sufficiently deflects (or other wise registers an appropriate optical signal) and clearly capable of withstanding the force of a projectile or other object which touches the screen. As pointed out above, the device is usable with or without the rear projection or other display on its face. For example, simply as a digitizer or as a device used for firing ranges where the front screen would be made out of kevlar and the system simply used to find where the bullets land and optionally at what force which can be imputed to their terminal velocity, etc. This is highly useful for firing ranges to allow direct input, statistical monitoring, etc. back to the firing point (In essence, a permanent target so to speak). The use of simulation however, with such a device, makes it even more exciting where one can actually see combat scenes on the screen and fire at them. In this case, the larger the screen the better to make this scene more realistic.

The interactive video ability is electrifying. One can see a 3-D image on the screen, and throw, fire or otherwise direct a projectile at a certain point on it and then see immediately through the use of video disks or the like the result of the action with an image called up from memory to correspond to the data read out by the camera 160 relative to the impact. This could also not just be from projectiles but also from actually hitting it with your fist.

FIG. 5 illustrates a ball throwing application of the invention wherein a person 500 throws a ball 501 at screen 101, on which for example a picture of a second baseman is shown. If the ball is detected to hit at the proper location and velocity, the second baseman is shown to catch the ball on the interactive video displayed.

If however, the ball was thrown improperly, the second baseman video can show him running to a wrong location on the field, or missing the ball entirely. In this manner the person 500 can "play" baseball. Similarly, he can hit a ball with a bat at the screen, or whatever. The video storage 520 is used by computer 185 to select and display the proper video sequences.

Further illustrated is another embodiment of the invention employing target datums as a man machine interface which can be used independently or in combination with the surface distortion as shown above.

As shown, the person is tracked in space with targets on his glove 530 and hat 531 from overhead using cameras 550 and stereo photogrammetry. As shown FIGS. 5b and 5c typically there are multiple target sets, on all objects, to allow multiple degrees of freedom(even all six, such as xyz, roll, pitch yaw,) of position and motion to be detected, and to allow all fingers, wrist movements, other joint movements to be discerned separately as desired. FIG. 5b is a close-up of glove 530 showing such target sets in FIG. 5c is a close-up of hat 531 showing such target sets, although other articles of clothing may be similarly targeted as required.

Let us consider the operation of the system. The best results are obtained when the human operator or other data entry object wears on his person, at the areas which need to be identified, retro reflective target datums, which can be illuminated from various camera positions and are clearly visible and distinct. This allows the a low cost target recognition processor 570 to be used. Image processing occurs at real time camera rates e.g. 30-60× a second and creates little ambiguity as to where target points are.

In a case of a large number of targets in the field of any one camera, there needs to be a coding provided such as through target shape, arrangement, or color codes (where color cameras are used. The use of such passive retroreflective targets are considered less intrusive than active LED type targets. New, is the ability of the invention to take this data into the computer to perform a task, and the use in combination with the surface distortion embodiment invention to provide a complete solution for creation of a sensing environment of the person.

For example, in ball throwing, the position of hands, and other parts of the body are also important in determining its trajectory, spin, etc, and these can be recognized by activity computer 580 and computed to feed data to the control computer 185

There is a major advantage of the above invention for the physically disabled. The Intent is to provide data inputs to the computer so that the disabled can indicate to the computer where he would like a type of data entry to be made without the necessity of doing conventional pass for such efforts such as the touch screen, keyboard or mouse. It is noted that the target tracking can be used in combination with the surface distortion imaging described above to allow other extremities to be utilized to make such indications as well. For example, the person's feet, it could be touching a "pad" which was imaged from the bottom so as to detect the positions of the heel, toes, whatever or other features and the various forces if desired that were exerted. This could be even done lying down, where the persons whole body was on the device. Both of these inventions, in fact, are suitable for patients in bed.

It is noted however, that this invention can be used for other purposes as well; such as the ability to enter dance steps wherein the feet are able to move on the pad as shown and the hands, and head movements are tracked overhead. This allows one to do a dance, and enter the data into the computer for the dance. This also holds for sporting events, tennis, etc.

In addition, it is contemplated that under certain conditions it maybe possible to utilize even naturally occurring features of the person; such as the tips of the fingers, the centroid of the head location, etc. to act as targets. For example Matrox image 1200 image processor for the IBM PC can locate a finger tip on a contrasting background within a few seconds. Peoples features and clothes can be "taught" to the system to increase the ability to locate the feature in question rapidly in space. Templates or coding mechanisms are created to match the feature in question.

FIG. 5a

Consider the case of FIG. 6 which shows the dancers whose foot patterns on floor plate 610 are dynamically monitored from the distortion of the rear of the floor, including the forces and the vectors of the forces which indicate their particular process. (As well their hand and head movements can be monitored from above using cameras, not shown, as in FIG. 5).

For illustration, in this example a grid projector 608 is utilized to project a grid on the back surface 611, which is imaged by tv camera 609 which detects via computer not shown local distortions in surface 610 caused by the dancers loads. Each foot location (4 total) is monitored independently, by detecting the local distortion beneath it, by comparing the grid in a rest state, to the one under load. As the over all grid shape can change, the change in the grid image can be time determinant. For example the average of the last 5 seconds of grid locations, can be compared at a local position (under a foot, say) to the instant one obtained in 0.33 msec for example.

Triangulated Grid image 650 illustrates the case of shallow curvature of the surface 611 with no local distortion, whereas grid image 660 shows the effect of local distortion of two dancers.

The Importance of Stiffness

One key feature of the invention is that the optical distortion measuring device can have high resolution, allowing the surface member to be stiff while still providing an indication.

One of the key reasons why the D-Sight invention of ref 1 is so valuable for use in this invention is that it provides a very large area coverage with the possibility of detection of minute deflections. This is of great importance because of the need to have the surface member as stiff as possible in general to oppose the pressure of the touch and to create a uniform panel which can be used both for as a screen for television or as just simply a facade on some other instrumentation such as a dashboard, a writing tablet or the like.

For example, sheet steel 0.035" thick when pushed on with finger pressure will create a discernable indication on a 2 meter square panel imaged with Dsight. Indeed one can visually on the TV screen trace one's finger when pushed on from the bottom, by looking at D sight image of the top of the steel.

A key problem however is to keep the total deflection down; for example, between the points suspended. For this reason it may be necessary to divide the system up into cells as shown in the inset, with the strengtheners at various cross positions which unfortunately cannot be measured at that point.

The D-Sight represents to my knowledge the most capable in this of all the technologies for measurement of surface distortion.

FIG. 7

FIG. 7a illustrates an embodiment of the invention used for automotive dashboard or other touchpad keyboard type computer entry use, further illustrating multiple inputs and segmented pads.

As shown the pad 700 on dashboard (not shown), is located at a convenient position, and is used to input commands to the cars system, such as heat, light, etc. The particular thing of interest is that the index finger or thumb such as 710 may be used to press down to establish function, and the next finger over 712 used to act as a slider for degree of function desired. One can also give commands via sequential pulses, and also by the degree of pressing in, or the force vector.

Clearly more than one finger can be operative at a time. Two such force inputs are shown in FIG. 7b as, 720 and 722, corresponding to action of fingers 710 and 712.

Of interest is that, where desired, an unsegmented pad can be used. For example, one doesn't need to care where the first input is ,as its home position is noted by a strong z force, (say by finger 712) and the closeness of the remaining forces (finger(s)) is the degree of function desired (say fan speed).

The pad can also accept a hand print, as a means of theft prevention, a taught signature can be recognized for starting the car.

The membrane used can have certain characteristics as well. It might have certain states such as undetected, partial, and full deflected where it would snap like in a digital way. Note that you could physically vibrate the membrane with a Piezo crystal such as 705 under control of action generator 730 to cause a feedback signal to the user. In other words, if you were driving a car and you push in on the membrane when you reach a first point it would vibrate. When you reach the second point it could vibrate at a different frequency, or intensity, or pulse sequence, say.

The screen material may be composed of something which itself can vibrate such as piezo excitable or what have you. This then provides a feedback signal to the person touching the screen. Conversely, one can actually have at a position, a physical force element such as an air jet 740 or what have you, that actually feedbacks data to the touched point(s ) in its area of operation.

It isn't just multiple points that can be detected. A complete "area" signature can also be detected. For example, a hand print can be determined from the deflection of the screen. Indeed, the device is capable of being used in this mode as a robot hand. One, forgetting the touch screen capability, where the imprint or impression left of the hand or any other object onto the screen, can be detected as such from the shape change of the screen.

Besides the use as in robot hands of detecting the part that might be picked up, it can also be used in the case here for example, in automobile to help one to identify from a written signature or a hand print or something, whether a qualified driver is present or not. The fact that it is not just 2-D but 3-D is a major improvement in this score.

FIG. 8

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, illustrating the use of another method of optical image based surface deformation detection, coupled with a detection of electro magnetic impulses or force fields.

As shown, a screen member 801 according to the invention such as 101 in FIG. 2, but in this case simply acting as a transducing medium and non transparent, is laid out in the form of a membrane with a grid of lines 810 on its surface, and illuminated by light 817.

Membrane deflection due to a time changing (or static) electromagnetic field F, produces a change in the grid pattern of light when viewed from a camera system 816 through a moire grid, 820. By known moire principles the distortion of the surface can be identified, and if desired, the degree of distortion calculated thereby. Clearly other time variant effects such as pressure waves from a loudspeaker, thermal effects and other phenomena can also be so determined

Alternatively, the grid need not be located on the actual membrane but can be projected onto it in as in FIG. 6.

The use of TV based optical imaging to determine distortions over a large area at high speeds, is an important feature which helps the invention. While not as light efficient nor as useful as the FIG. 2 device, this nonetheless can provide the images. It is noted that a combination can be utilized wherein the grid pattern is on the screen and is viewed in this manner, also in conjunction perhaps with a moire grating or not.

FIGS. 9a-9b

FIG. 9a illustrates a variant to the invention along the lines of FIG. 2a, where the index of refraction of the material of screen 900, and its variation due to touch, hit, or other impact, F, is determined, when illuminated by light from source 905. In this case the camera 910 or, as shown in the figure, the retroreflective Dsight screen 920 can be outside of the housing 925, if desired. While not generally desirable, there are certain types of simulations, etc. where this might be desirable.

FIG. 9b illustrates an interesting projection TV arrangement wherein the beads 949 on the screen 950 act as retroreflectors for light used to measure the photoelastic stress in the screen material, while acting as diffusers for projected light from the TV guns and associated optics 960. Here, surface touch is converted to stress as opposed to a deflection. This stress is monitored over an area.

A touch pad screen according to the invention is thus contacted in a manner which creates a stress in the photoelastic member attached to a surface, or within the material having a surface. In a manner somewhat similar to the D-Sight invention, light penetrates through the photoelastic material member, strikes a surface behind it and is re-reflected back through the member. In this case it is not the distortion of the re-reflecting surface that is measured but the stress that has been placed into the photoelastic material. By using cross polarizers and known photoelastic techniques dependent on the differential index of refraction change with stress of polarized light, the stresses in the material can be monitored by TV camera 970 and this information converted to knowledge of both location of the stress, caused by the impact or touch, and its degree. This in a way is a better measurement of touch input than is deflection and allows the pad containing the screen to be very stiff.

There are problems with this system insofar as projecting light,since the rear surface (on the other side of the material whose refractive index changes) must be reflective and as a touch screen for projection T.V. for example it's difficult, although such transmission would be possible if the rear reflecting surface was not totally reflecting with the projection unit as shown.

Projection T.V., it should be noted, is not the only way of doing this. One could have LCD type surfaces on any of these devices which would create a TV image on the touch screen of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention uses a transmissive version. In this case the screen is located at an angle, and indeed has on it the LCD capability described. The light is projected through the LCD screen.

Summary of Applications of the Invention

Principal application areas of the disclosed invention envisioned at the time of this writing are as follows:

1. Aids to the disabled, where the unique force vector and multipoint and signature response characteristics of the invention can be used to advantage, to provide enough information so that an intelligent decision to what an input was supposed to be can be made.

2. Data entry over larger surface areas such as desk top CAD systems (which may or may not be combined with a touch screen), projection TV screens in the home or in the video arcades and the like.

3. Interactive video games in general, where a touch, hit, etc., input is sensed with the invention.

4. Large simulations or displays (as in war rooms).

5. Practice such as, firing ranges and sporting events such as baseball practice, where a projectile "hit" input is sensed.

6. Non conventional data entry situations, as in feet on the floor.

7. Special transducers eg for transient forces, also at multiple essentially simultaneous locations.

8. Automobile and aircraft data entry devices both in touch screen form and simply as a data entry device for example with a usable heads up display.

The invention provides the only known ability to easily incorporate touch screen, let alone a 3-D touch screen capability into a home projection TV. This has a wide ranging potential application for use in home shopping, and other remote data entry devices for the home.

Any time you see something on the screen you can throw something at it or touch it or what have you. This registers X,Y location and Z force if that means anything to that particular variable.

The Z force sensitivity doesn't help somebody watching TV from afar unless they do throw something at it. However, anybody sitting next to a terminal which would be either large CAD type or small monitors, definitely can touch it.

The ability to have such an interactive projection TV of let us say the 40" screen size and larger furthermore opens up a wide market for video arcade games, even ones which could be played in the home. The touch screen capability allows one to not only touch the screen with one's finger but given a suitably strength of screen, one can hit it with any part of the body, a projectile such as fired from a toy pistol of even throw baseballs at the screen, whatever.

When we add to that capability of having the video display not only show a video tape which could be made by the user himself, but also utilizing the latest technologies such as that released recently by Toshiba, etc. to have a three dimensional TV with alternating images and a similar light LCD blocking glasses. One can actually have not only a 3-D touch and interaction capability but also a 3-D display capability. All of this on a capable home system which costs typically no more than $4000. This of course is right in the line of arcade game costs as well although the unit would have to be suitably recognized for such use.

When one considers the military and police simulators of the same ilk but perhaps with larger screens projecting let us say military or police combat scenes onto a screen perhaps in 3-D and allowing the trainee to actually fire at the screen with pistol or what have you. It would only be necessary to have hollow rubber bullets or something that would deflect the screen but not damage it in order to make such a simulation which would be as close to "real combat" as could possibly be imagined in the laboratory.

Similarly, displays or even just entry devices simulating the strike zone of a batter could be used for pitching practice in baseball. Video plays could also be made from a quarterback's eye view for football and you could throw the football at the screen registering at the screen the velocity and effect which would allow one to have a computer determine whether or not the receiver would have caught the ball. The same holds true with soccer, hockey, etc. dodging a goalie to kick a ball in, say.

As with all of these examples, the new generation of interactive CD displays and other optical memories would allow one to call up different image sequences depending on the 3-D sensed information from the touch screen. In other words if the quarterback threw the ball in such a way that it would be caught, one would simply have a video display of the ball being caught. However if the throw was off, let's say to the right or to the left, you could have a video display of that. The list of potential possibilities is endless. One thing is for certain however, without a suitable input device, much of the interactive seeing eye activity might not be possible.

"Light" as used herein, can be electromagnetic waves at x-ray through infra-red wavelengths. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for entering data to a computer or data storage device, comprising the steps of:(a) generating, via an input on a front surface of an extensive material having thickness separating the front surface from a back surface of said material, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface; (b) electro-optically forming an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface onto an electro-optical imaging means, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (c) determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input; (d) generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; and (e) entering said data signal to said computer or data storage device.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein steps (b) and (c) occur substantially simultaneously for a plurality of separate discrete areas of input on said front surface.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein electro-optical image forming step (b) is accomplished with a TV camera.
 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein an image of substantially the entire area of said back surface is formed on said camera.
 5. A method according to claim 3 wherein an image of a grid on said back surface is formed on said camera.
 6. A method according to claim 3 wherein said image forming step (b) comprises stroboscopically illuminating said back surface.
 7. A method according to claim 3 wherein said image-forming step (b) comprises detecting light retro-reflected to said back surface.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) includes determining from said image a vector along a longitudinal axis of distortion of said back surface.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said extensive material comprises a display screen for TV images.
 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises comparing instant data to a previously recorded electro-optical image of the back surface prior to said temporary disturbance or distortion.
 11. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises generating said data entry signal with respect to a previous condition of the surfaces.
 12. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises obtaining a signature of said back surface.
 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said signature comprises a distortion or disturbance of said back surface at a plurality of points.
 14. A method according to claim 12 further comprising utilizing a characteristic of said signature to identify at least a portion of a distortion or disturbance for generating said data entry signal.
 15. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing tactile feedback in response to said disturbance or distortion generating step (a).
 16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the input of step (a) comprises applying a force to said front surface, said force being produced by at least one of pressure, vacuum, heat, electromagnetism, and weight.
 17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the input of step (a) comprises striking said front surface with an object.
 18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said extensive material comprises a single membrane element.
 19. A method according to claim 1 wherein said extensive material comprises multiple substantially independently movable elements.
 20. A method according to claim 1 wherein said image-forming step (b) comprises forming an image of substantially the entire area of said back surface simultaneously.
 21. A method according to claim 1 wherein said extensive material is contoured when undistorted.
 22. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determining step (c) comprises determining the location of said temporary distortion or disturbance and determining an intensity centroid of light reflected from said back surface.
 23. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determining step (c) comprises detecting light above or below a given threshold intensity.
 24. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in step (a), transmission of light through said material occurs simultaneously with said distortion due to photoelastic properties of said material under stress of said distortion.
 25. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in step (c), said at least one characteristic comprises the location of said input, and wherein step (c) includes determining the source of said input from said location characteristic.
 26. A method according to claim 1 wherein said extensive material is large with respect to the temporary distortion or disturbance.
 27. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image formed in step (b) comprises a "D Sight" image.
 28. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image formed in step (b) comprises a triangulation image.
 29. A method according to claim 1 wherein said temporary distortion or disturbance comprises a convex distortion of said back surface.
 30. Apparatus for entering data to a computer or a data storage device, comprising:(a) a video monitor having an extensive video display screen for viewing video images, said screen having a front surface and a back surface; (b) means for generating, via an input on said front surface, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface of said screen; (c) image-forming means for electro-optically forming thereon an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (d) determining means for determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input and generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; and (f) means for entering said data entry signal to said computer or data storage device.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 30 further comprising means for actuating said image-forming means and said determining means substantially simultaneously for a plurality of discrete areas of input on said front surface.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image forming means comprises a TV camera.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the field of view of said TV camera includes substantially the entire area of said back surface of said screen.
 34. Apparatus according to claim 33 further comprising a grid on said back surface.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said determining means comprises means for determining a vector along a longitudinal axis of a distortion of said back surface.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said determining means comprises means for comparing said image to a previously recorded electro-optical image of the back surface.
 37. Apparatus according to claim 30 further comprising means for providing tactile feedback in response to said input on said front surface.
 38. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image-forming means comprises means for forming an image of substantially the entire area of said back surface simultaneously.
 39. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said screen is contoured when distorted.
 40. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image-forming means comprises means for stroboscopically illuminating said back surface.
 41. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image-forming means comprises means for detecting light retro-reflected to said back surface.
 42. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said characteristic determining means comprises means for determining the location of said temporary distortion and comprises means for determining an intensity centroid of light reflected from said back surface.
 43. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image forming means comprises means for forming a "D sight" image.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said image forming means comprises means for forming a triangulation image.
 45. An interactive video system comprising;(a) a plurality of targets connectable to a user; (b) detector means for monitoring the location and motion of said targets and for outputting target data based on the monitored location and motion of said targets; (c) a user activity processor for receiving said target data and for outputting user data; (d) a video monitor having an extensive display screen for displaying video images, said screen having a front surface and a back surface; (e) means for generating, via an input on said front surface of said screen, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface; (f) image-forming means for electro-optically forming thereon an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface of said screen, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (g) determining means for determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input and generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; (h) means for entering said data entry signal into a control processor; and (i) a control processor for receiving said data entry signal and said user data, and for providing an output in accordance with said data entry signal and said user data.
 46. An interactive video system as recited in claim 45, wherein said output from said control processor comprises a video image displayed on said front surface.
 47. An interactive video system as recited in claim 45, wherein said targets comprise reflectors and said detector means comprise video cameras.
 48. An interactive video system as recited in claim 45, further comprising storage means for storing said user data. 